ski

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈskē 

British sometimes

ˈshē 

plural skis also ski

1

a

: one of a pair of narrow strips of wood, metal, or plastic curving upward in front that are used especially for gliding over snow

b

: water ski

2

: a piece of material that resembles a ski and is used as a runner on a vehicle

ski

2 of 4

verb (1)

skied ˈskēd  ˈshēd  ; skiing

intransitive verb

: to glide on skis in travel or as a sport

transitive verb

: to travel or pass over on skis

skiable

ˈskē-ə-bəl 

adjective

skier noun

sky

3 of 4

noun (2)

ˈskī 

plural skies

1

: the upper atmosphere or expanse of space that constitutes an apparent great vault or arch over the earth

2

: heaven sense 2

3

a

: weather in the upper atmosphere

b

: climate

… temperate English skies …

—G. G. Coulton

sky

4 of 4

verb (2)

skied or skyed; skying

transitive verb

1

chiefly British : to throw or toss up : flip

2

: to hang (something, such as a painting) above the line of vision

3

: to hit (a ball) high into the air

intransitive verb

: to jump high

sky for a rebound

Synonyms of ski

Noun (2)

• blue
• welkin
• skyline
• horizon
• firmament
• heaven(s)

Examples of ski in a Sentence

Verb (1)

I have skied that mountain before.

Noun (2)

There wasn't a cloud in the sky.

Dark clouds moved quickly across the sky.

Hailstones suddenly fell out of the sky.

The sun was high in the sky.

The forecast is for sunny skies tomorrow.

a patch of blue sky

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The next slide shows Sweeney water-skiing with just one ski off the back of a boat. — Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

The brand held its fall 2024 show in Saint Moritz — one of executive chairman Remo Ruffini’s favorite ski resorts but which can hardly be characterized as intimate. — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2026

Verb

Mahomes floated one in over the shoulder of Noah Gray for a 22-yard completion to set up a field goal, and Kelce skied for an 11-yard touchdown reception to seal the outcome. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026

After McConnell hit a wedge to 15 feet, Florjancic skied his approach off the back of the green, leaving McConnell another window. — Harris Horowitz, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

Noun

Shawn and his father found the man on the easternmost coast of their island shortly after dusk, when the sky was drained of almost all its orange light and the waves had grown dark, topped with an eerie froth. — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026

The architecture promotes an indoor-outdoor feel, allowing in views of sea, sky, and desert while excluding distractions. — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026

Verb

Organic food, skies full of birds, farmland webbed with hedgerows. — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026

Dark, clear skies away from city lights provide the best viewing conditions. — Ashley Lynch july 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Norwegian, from Old Norse skīth stick of wood, ski; akin to Old English scīd board, scēadan to divide — more at shed entry 1

Noun (2)

Middle English, cloud, sky, from Old Norse skȳ cloud; akin to Old English scēo cloud

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1755, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

circa 1890, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (2)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1802, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing ski

• après-ski
• ski boot
• ski cross
• ski jump
• ski lift
• ski mask
• ski patrol
• ski pole
• ski run
• ski touring
• ski tow
• water ski

Rhymes for ski

• be
• bee
• bree
• cree
• fee
• flea
• flee
• free
• gee
• ghee
• glee
• he

Kids Definition

ski

1 of 2 noun

ˈskē 

plural skis

: one of a pair of narrow strips of wood, metal, or plastic curving upward in front that are used for gliding over snow or water

ski

2 of 2 verb

skied; skiing

: to glide on skis

skier noun

Etymology

Noun

from Norwegian ski "a ski," from an early Norse word skīth "a stick of wood"